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Best flights to Favorite Destinations in the Middle East

From ancient cities in Jordan to the skyscrapers of Dubai, visiting the Middle East can be like going back in time or being thrown into the future. Vast deserts, gorgeous beaches, amazing food, exotic scents and beautiful monuments mean these destinations have something for everyone. Whether you choose to live in luxury or camp under the stars, there's something enticing about being in the heart of civilization's beginnings.

Iconic pyramids and ancient relics have made Egypt an obvious favorite of travelers for years. The Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo holds mummies, original papyrus scrolls, and hundreds of other artifacts, but most impressive is the room dedicated to Tutankhamun's tomb. The amount of gold and jewels is mind blowing, and worth a visit to the museum in itself. The Pyramids and Sphinx are a must from Cairo, but a guide is strongly recommended, as harassment from salesmen and "tourguides" is on a scale unmatched by anywhere else in the world, and worse in recent years due to political turmoil. From cruises on the Nile to sampling local restaurants and visiting the chaotic but blissful bazaar, Cairo is anything but boring.

For a different kind of city head north to Alexandria, a seaport on the Meditteranean founded by Alexander the Great. Enjoy snorkeling, relax on the beach, visit the lighthouse, or stop in the library, a briliant building with a massive collection.

And if you have the time, don't miss Luxor, known as an "open air museum" for the sheer numbers of temples and ancient sites within the city. There are so many tombs, temples, and statues it's easy for them to become a blur. Rest your feet and gather your thoughts with a drink from one of the many charming outdoor cafes.

The United Arab Emirates is the Mid East superstar for it's flashy buildings, unrivaled hotels and pristine beaches. Dubai holds the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, where from the top you can see the city's many other wonders, including man-made islands. Sunbathe with the rich and famous on Jumeirah beach, shop in the endless malls, (all with unique themes and one featuring indoor skiing), and dance the night away at some of the world's best nightclubs.

In Abu Dhabi, you'll feel like you're on the set of Aladdin as the palaces are more ornate and enchanting than you can imagine. Take a ride on the world's fastest rollercoaster, try your hand at falconry, or head to the desert for dune jumping and vast beauty.

Egypt may get all the glory for its pyramids, but Petra, also one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is possibly even more breathtaking and puts Jordan on the map. Hike through the ancient city carved completely into red rock and marvel at the innovatoin and detail put into it by the Nabateans, the tribe who built it around the sixth century BC. Indiana Jones made the treasury building here famous in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and the monument looks as stunning in person as it does on the silver screen.

But Petra isn't all Jordan has to offer. In nearby Wadi Rum you can camp in the desert with a Bedouin tribe, a seriously uniqe and fun experience. Lawrence of Arabia used to come to Wadi Rum to think, (the movie was filmed there too), because of the quiet nights and endless stars.

Amman, the capital city, has an old center, with Roman ruins, an amphitheater, and a nice mosque. Away from the center you'll find bustling modernity and some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the Middle East. The Dead Sea is only about an hour away, and a great bucket list experience. You literally cannot make yourself sink and any attempts to do so will just have you splashing and bobbing around. Make sure to coat yourself in Dead Sea mud for a mineral spa experience that guarantees soft skin and promises longer life. For water sports, nearby Wadi Mujib has canyon jumping and rafting in a beautiful setting.

If the deserts and heat are getting to you, head south to the resort town of Aqaba. Here you can swim, snorkel, or take a boat trip on the Red Sea.

Morocco is a favorite Mid East destination and each city has a uniqe pull. Fez is famous for its labyrinth medina, so complex you're guaranteed to get lost, but finding your way is half the fun. The entire medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so walking through it feels like walking through a city from another era. The medina is filled with markets, rug shops, houses, and tanneries. The tanneries smell terrible, but are so fascinating the stench is worth putting up with. Leather is a huge part of Fez's economy, and you can see the entire process, from skinning to dyeing to sewing.

Rabat and Casablanca are more modern. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca towers near the ocean, glistening turqoise and white. It's the biggest in Morocco and the seventh biggest in the world. The city's namesake film has made an impression, and "Rick's Cafe" is touristy but fun. As the capital, Rabat is filled with hotels and government buildings, but also has a nice, and much more easily navigable medina and a pretty Kasbah.

If you have time, a visit to Chefchaouen, a small town in the mountains, brings a much different experience than the rest of Morocco. The entire town is painted blue, from the streets to the medina walls to the buildings, and that coupled with the mountain location sets a tranquil vibe.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Marrakech in the south is home to one of the world's most famous deserts. Spend a few nights in the Sahara, then head back to Marrakech for its famous night market and bustling city life.

Known as the Middle East's party capital, Lebanon has been a hot spot in the region for decades. Beirut, often called the "Paris of the Middle East," is a beautiful and exciting blend of old and new. Lebanese souks mix with wide avenues of designer shops and posh cafes. Stroll along the Mediterranean, sip drinks at one of the many famous nightclubs, and gorge on amazing, (and cheap), Lebanese food.

A short daytrip from Beirut, the Jeita Grotto is a system of two intertwined limestone caves that can only be viewd from underground by boat. The grotto houses the world's largest stalactite, and is eerily beautiful.

For a bit of history, the city of Baalbek holds some of the most impressive and intact Roman ruins in the world, and is definitely worth the trip.

From the architecture to the traditions to the cuisine, Turkey really is east meets west. Istanbul, the capital and most visited city, is the perfect example. One of its most famous attractions, the Hagia Sophia, was a Greek Orthodox church before it was converted into a mosque, and now a museum. Its architecture is truly spectacular, with a massive dome and glittering mosaics. The Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are other musts when in Istanbul, as is a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus and a trip to the Grand Bazaar.

In eastern Turkey, a trip to Cappadocia is an otherworldy experience. Volcanic peaks and rock formations make up the small city, complete with underground churches and and rock-cut temples. Its unique beauty can be taken in on foot, or with a hot air baloon ride over the city.

For more of the "west" feel of Turkey, vist the coastal towns on the Mediterranean. Bodrum, Marmaris, and Oludinez are all fun, beachy towns famous for paragliding, butterflies, and boating.